"You need a new clutch, sir."

[James Burleigh]

So when I got my new Metzler Z-6s installed at Berkeley Yamaha about a week ago, they said I needed a new clutch.

"You mean a clutch lever?"

No, a clutch.

:blink:

"Is that the thingamajig that spins against the whoozy-whatsit and makes the bike go forward when you let it out?"

Yes, sir.

"What's the worst that could happen if I don't change it?"

Your bike will not move, sir.

"How long have I got, doc? It is taxes and Christmas you know."

As soon as you can, sir....

So as I'm ridin' home with the new Z-6s, I'm trying to understand what the evidence is exactly that I need a new clutch. I hadn't really noticed anything. I still seem to have pretty good giddy-up. The bike has about 71K miles.

But as I keep thinking about it, I don't really have that neck-snapping acceleration I used to have. And when I pull away from a light after toodling up the middle to the front of all the rush-hour traffic, getting on it fast in case some **** next to me want's to play patty-cake (like that Mustang I smoked a couple years ago )...well, it ain't what it used to be come to think of it.

And I recall that when Calif Sport Touring Kim let me ride his '09, the sumbitch practically wheelied when I first let the clutch out ("Whoa, Nellie!"). I guess I've had a gradual deterioration over time that was kinda unnoticeable.

So I'm looking forward to a whole new ride once the new thingamajig gets installed.... :yahoo:

 

[Rogue]

So when I got my new Metzler Z-6s installed at Berkeley Yamaha about a week ago, they said I needed a new clutch.
"You mean a clutch lever?"

No, a clutch.

:blink:

"Is that the thingamajig that spins against the whoozy-whatsit and makes the bike go forward when you let it out?"

Yes, sir.

"What's the worst that could happen if I don't change it?"

Your bike will not move, sir.

"How long have I got, doc? It is taxes and Christmas you know."

As soon as you can, sir....

So as I'm ridin' home with the new Z-6s, I'm trying to understand what the evidence is exactly that I need a new clutch. I hadn't really noticed anything. I still seem to have pretty good giddy-up.

But as I keep thinking about it, I don't really have that neck-snapping acceleration I used to have. And when I pull away from a light after toodling up the middle to the front of all the rush-hour traffic, getting on it fast in case some **** next to me want's to play patty-cake (like that Mustang I smoked a couple years ago )...well, it ain't what it used to be come to think of it.

And I recall that when Calif Sport Touring Kim let me ride his '09, the sumbitch practically wheelied when I first let the clutch out )"Whoa, Nellie"). I guess I've had a gradual deterioration over time that was kinda unnoticeable.

So I'm looking forward to a whole new ride once the new thingamajig gets installed.... :yahoo:

It's not a hard job to do yourself...............

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

71K seems kinda soon to be getting a new clutch? Ain't it? I mean, you haven't been abusing the poor girl have you? Or is this something I have to look forward to?

 

[Bungie]

So when I got my new Metzler Z-6s installed at Berkeley Yamaha about a week ago, they said I needed a new clutch.

Put the bike in 4th or 5th at about 40mph and whack it open to the stops. If the revs go up with out a matching increase in acceleration, or it shudders hard, its clutch time. If not, the dealer is probably just trying to pad his winter income.

 

[dcarver]

Ohh goodness, Mr. JB....

First you're shiftless *then* clutchless? :lol:

Is it slipping when you accellerate? Can you hear RPMS's go up but no getty-go?

I'm trying to keep this technical for yah, JB..

I've not done an FJR clutch before but should be able to handle it should you want too.

Of course Silent is just around the corner and I KNOW he can; I'll ride up to help.

Don't pay stealer prices..

Buy dinner n' beer for buddies when the job is done, eh?

 

[Motorad]

Thank you that was a fun read James Burleigh.

Rod

 

[James Burleigh]

Ohh goodness, Mr. JB....
First you're shiftless *then* clutchless? :lol:

Is it slipping when you accellerate? Can you hear RPMS's go up but no getty-go?

I'm trying to keep this technical for yah, JB..

I've not done an FJR clutch before but should be able to handle it should you want too.

Of course Silent is just around the corner and I KNOW he can; I'll ride up to help.

Don't pay stealer prices..

Buy dinner n' beer for buddies when the job is done, eh?

A very generous offer, and I thank you. When all is said and done, including the parts I'd have to buy and taking a day to watch you two work while I fetch beers, well, it's probably a wash.

 

[James Burleigh]

71K seems kinda soon to be getting a new clutch? Ain't it? I mean, you haven't been abusing the poor girl have you? Or is this something I have to look forward to?

I don't know if I abuse baby. I do ride, or feather, the clutch constantly while in traffic (like when toodling up to the front of the line between cars ), and I rarely use top gear when in tight freeway traffic, which is 90 percent of my riding. Usually keep it at 6K RPMs so I can get outta Dodge if necessary.

 

[user 213]

71K seems kinda soon to be getting a new clutch? Ain't it? I mean, you haven't been abusing the poor girl have you? Or is this something I have to look forward to?

I don't know if I abuse baby. I do ride, or feather, the clutch constantly while in traffic (like when toodling up to the front of the line between cars ), and I rarely use top gear when in tight freeway traffic, which is 90 percent of my riding. Usually keep it at 6K RPMs so I can get outta Dodge if necessary.

IOW - Yes.

 

[SkooterG]

71K seems kinda soon to be getting a new clutch? Ain't it? I mean, you haven't been abusing the poor girl have you? Or is this something I have to look forward to?

Yeah, no kiddin. My clutch lasted to 136k or so, and even then it was abuse that brought about it's destruction. Youse got to be easier on that poor little ol clutch, JB.

My Clutch Saga with cool piccies on page 3

 

[James Burleigh]

My Clutch Saga with cool piccies on page 3

Those ARE cool pics. And enough persuasion that I don't want to attempt anything on my own (dCarver's offer acknowledged) with just my adjustable spanner, velcro, white-out, and rubber bands.

 

[Bearly Flying]

Usually keep it at 6K RPMs so I can get outta Dodge if necessary.

James, I'm hoping you don't launch from every stoplight at 6K.......... :crazy:

You will definitely get the F&$k outta Dodge.

Like Bungie said , do a bit of troubleshooting before you lay down the cash.

Personally I would take Carver up on his offer...... Take lots of Beer and a video camera....

Might come in very useful in the future..... Jest saying.. :beach:

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

71K seems kinda soon to be getting a new clutch? Ain't it? I mean, you haven't been abusing the poor girl have you? Or is this something I have to look forward to?

I don't know if I abuse baby. I do ride, or feather, the clutch constantly while in traffic (like when toodling up to the front of the line between cars ), and I rarely use top gear when in tight freeway traffic, which is 90 percent of my riding. Usually keep it at 6K RPMs so I can get outta Dodge if necessary.

IOW - Yes.

I was in Oakland and SF a couple weeks ago. Seeing that traffic, I imagine saving your clutch is low on your immediate list of concerns while riding.

I think a video of Carver digging into your clutch basket would be entertaining. Hold on, that didn't come out right. :huh:

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Motorcycle clutches (clutches in general) can tolerate alot of abuse at slow (relative) rotational speeds -- just the opposite can be true when high (differential rotational) speeds are involved.

A little more 'diagnostics' seems nec.?

The 'tech' must've had good reasons for his recco (hopefully...?)? Maybe a little more explaination from him why he thinks sir needs a new clutch -- details?

And, self-diagnosis may be helpful -- when in a higher gear (5th is best) twist the right-hand handlebar thing toward you, hard; look at the dash (gauges); if the needle on the round one that says RPM goes 'up' (higher numbers) without a correspnding increase in numbers on the on the one that says MPH -- the clutch is not transferring the power (slipping).

The good thing is: if it is, in fact, slipping (bad)? -- it'll only get worse...

'Till you're just like 'SkooterG'...

 

[Checkswrecks]

71K seems kinda soon to be getting a new clutch? Ain't it? I mean, you haven't been abusing the poor girl have you? Or is this something I have to look forward to?

JB's 71K of "feathering" the clutch while splitting lanes in Bay area traffic is probably at least as bad as 136K miles plus abuse in Arizona.

I'm sure not worried about it.

 

[FJRBluesman]

shooda got an AE. No clutches, no levers, no kidding.

 

[wfooshee]

^^^^ BZZZZTTT!!

Is clutch. Can be destroyed. Buy an AE and never use less than say, 4th gear. Clutch will last a few hours. Tops.

But you can't feather it in traffic, that's true. (I know you know there's a clutch. I see the smiley.)

To JB, if you're actually feathering the clutch for torque multiplication, maybe you should actually just downshift instead???

 

[chrisflock]

Go online and buy 1 fibre plate and 1 steel. Remove clutch cover. Remove the special end plate. Insert steel, insert fiber, Replace special end plate. Fail to be able to reassemble because clutch pack is now too thick.

Easy.

To be totally serious, though, if you go online and order the bits, you can do this one yourself with a minimum of time and effort. You just need to remove the cover, remove like 4 bolts, you might need a small screwdriver, or even a paperclip bent into a hook to snag the plates and pull them all out (they should be slippery little buggers, and there wasn't a whole lot of room for my useless sausage fingers). Once you've done that, all you need to do is oil up the new bits and reinstall.

If you are a real cheapskate, you can disassemble first, determine which existing parts are worn out (maybe some or all of the steel plates are good, maybe some of the fibre plates are also good?) and only order what you need.

 

[RsvlFeej]

Keep abusing it, Hans. FJR clutch parts is cheap (I think about $100 - 120 for the full monty). Don't know WTF I did to make mine go at 40K miles.